Anchorage wildlife and glaciers tour: Bears and moose

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/14

Duration4h 30m

GroupUp to 14

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Brown bears, moose and wolves in one morning, plus hanging glaciers across Portage Valley

This half-day tour from Anchorage combines wildlife viewing at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center with glacier sightseeing in Portage Valley, led by a professional guide. The itinerary includes a one-hour visit to the sanctuary, stops at Beluga Point and three named glaciers, and a walk through rainforest; pickup is downtown across from the Hilton. Winter weather may alter the Portage Valley portion, and the full route involves roughly 40 minutes of walking.

4h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife, glaciers, and rainforest walk

Drive from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm
Stop at Beluga Point for photos
Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Explore habitats with bears, moose, and bison
Continue to Portage Valley
View Explorer, Middle, and Byron Glaciers
Walk through the rainforest
Snack or meal at Portage Day Lodge
Return to Anchorage

The Experience

The tour starts with pickup downtown and a drive along Turnagain Arm, the legendary coastal route that frames the day with mountain and ocean views. The first stop is Beluga Point, a photo vantage where Dall sheep and beluga whales sometimes appear—timing matters here. From there, the route leads to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you spend an hour in spacious habitats watching brown bears, wolves, moose, musk ox, caribou, and Woodland Bison in a natural sanctuary setting. The guide is with you throughout, and entry is included.

The second half moves into Portage Valley, where the landscape shifts to braided rivers, lush forest and towering peaks. You'll see Explorer Glacier, Middle Glacier, and Byron Glacier clinging to the mountainsides—the hanging glaciers are a photo favorite and the visual anchor of the route. A walk through the rainforest is part of this section. The tour wraps at Portage Day Lodge, where you can grab a snack or meal before the drive back to Anchorage. In winter, weather may force a change to this portion; your guide will confirm what's possible on the day.

The full route runs about four and a half hours and requires moderate fitness—you'll walk roughly 40 minutes on your own. Dress for Alaska weather, which shifts fast. The guide speaks English and leads the whole experience, so navigation and timing are handled; you show up at the pickup point and the day unfolds from there.

What’s included

Professional guide throughout the tour.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center entry fee.
pickup at downtown Anchorage location.
stops at Beluga Point, the Conservation Center, and three named glaciers in Portage Valley.
rainforest walk in Portage Valley.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Alaska's Finest Tours & Cruises

Is this one for you?You've just landed in Anchorage or have a free half-day and want to see Alaska's most famous animals and glaciers without renting a car or buying separate tickets—the guide handles the route and timing, the entry fee is built in, and you're back downtown by early afternoon.